Team:SMTexas/project

From 2014hs.igem.org

(Difference between revisions)
 
(94 intermediate revisions not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
-
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death around the world. Early detection systems would enable us to diagnose the disease at a time when therapeutic intervention would be most effective. Noninvasive breath sampling has the potential to save lives as approximately 86% of lung cancer patients die within five years of diagnosis. Early detection improves survival rate by 50% from stage III to stage I of the cancer. Breath biochemical sensors also have important applications for other diseases. According to the World Health Organization’s latest report on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), these “diseases are the leading global causes of death, causing more deaths than all other causes combined.” Further research into these noninvasive tests while maintaining the tests’ accuracy and sensitivity could have a major impact on survival rates of other NCDs. Tests of this nature would reduce inequity and provide improved means of treatment for affected individuals regardless of nationality, income, or access to healthcare.
+
{{SMTexas/heading}}
-
While invasive techniques, such as immunofluorescence and Western Blotting already exist to detect the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) biomarker, breath chemical tests via genetically modified Escherichia coli bacteria would be a novel and versatile method of lung cancer screening. Twenty-two volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been found to be unique to the breath of affected patients, creating a viable “fingerprint” for reliable detection (Horvath et al.). We will utilize these concepts to create a biosensor for lung cancer.
+
<html>
-
Our team will design a system combining existing BioBricks along with novel synthesized biological parts to create a whole-cell bacterial sensor. We will attempt to create a breath biosensor through noninvasive intervention of lung cancer. Implementing recombinant DNA technology, the bacteria will be able to respond to environmental queues through a receptor-dependent pathway. The construct will fuse a DNA response element with reporter genes to create a portable biosensor. We are currently investigating E. coli promoters or alternative sigma factors in relation to our intended target compounds.
+
<!-- Header -->
 +
<div id="header">
 +
<div class="container">
 +
<!-- Logo -->
 +
<div id="logo">
 +
<h1><a href="https://2014hs.igem.org/wiki/index.php?title=Team:SMTexas" class="nav-link"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014hs/6/65/SMiGEM_Logo_%26_Text.png" alt=""></a></h1>
 +
<style>
 +
a.nav-link:link {
 +
  color: #000000;
 +
  text-decoration: none;
 +
}
 +
a.nav-link:visited {
 +
  color: #000000;
 +
  text-decoration: none;
 +
}
 +
a.nav-link:hover {
 +
  color: #000000;
 +
  text-decoration: none;
 +
}
 +
a.nav-link:active {
 +
  color: #000000;
 +
  text-decoration: none;
 +
}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
</style>
 +
 +
 +
 +
</div>
 +
<body>
 +
<br><br>
 +
<div id="marketing">
 +
<section>
 +
<header>
 +
<h2>VOColi</h2>
 +
<span class="byline">Detecting Lung Cancer Biomarkers</span>
 +
</header>
 +
<p>Inspired by the olfactory ability of canines to detect diseases, we will pursue a long-term project that revolves around the creation of a minimally invasive and inexpensive detection system for lung cancer, through the identification of exhaled biomarkers. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death around the world. Twenty-two volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been distinctly found in the breath of affected patients, creating a viable “fingerprint” for reliable detection (Horvath et al.). This year we focused on creating biosensors for three VOCs: ethanol, formaldehyde, and xylene. We plan to create genetic circuit systems for aldB induced by ethanol, frmR recognition of formaldehyde, and xylR activated by xylene. Our current device will utilize three reporter proteins (CFP, GFP, RFP) to indicate the concentrations of the three VOCs present in an exhaled sample. This research will eventually go into creating a conclusive test for use in the developing world.</p>
 +
</section>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
<div id="featured" class="container">
 +
 +
<div class="row">
 +
<section class="4u">
 +
<div class="box">
 +
 +
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014hs/d/d9/Concept_PNG.png" alt=""><p>
 +
<h3>The Concept</h3>
 +
<p>The future of screening for diseases.</p>
 +
<a href="https://2014hs.igem.org/Team:SMTexas/Concept" class="button">More</a>
 +
<style>
 +
a.button:link {
 +
  color: #FFFFFF;
 +
  text-decoration: none;
 +
}
 +
a.button:visited {
 +
  color: #FFFFFF;
 +
  text-decoration: none;
 +
}
 +
a.button:hover {
 +
  color: #FFCC00;
 +
  text-decoration: none;
 +
}
 +
a.button:active {
 +
  color: #FFFFFF;
 +
  text-decoration: none;
 +
}
 +
</style>
 +
</div>
 +
</section>
 +
<section class="4u">
 +
<div class="box">
 +
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014hs/5/5e/Basic_Research_PNG.png" alt=""><p>
 +
<h3>The Design</h3>
 +
<p>The genetic circuits we have created.</p>
 +
<a href="https://2014hs.igem.org/Team:SMTexas/Design" class="button">More</a>
 +
</div>
 +
</section>
 +
<section class="4u">
 +
<div class="box">
 +
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014hs/d/d4/Future_Implementation_PNG.png" alt=""><p>
 +
<h3>Future Implementation</h3>
 +
<p>Our plans for the future.</p>
 +
<a href="https://2014hs.igem.org/Team:SMTexas/Implementation" class="button">More</a>
 +
</div>
 +
</section>
 +
</div>
 +
</div>
 +
<iframe src="http://docs.google.com/viewer?url=https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014hs/f/f9/IGEM_Poster_FINAL.pdf&embedded=true" width="1200" height="780" style="border: none ;"></iframe>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
 
 +
</body>
 +
<!-- /Featured -->
 +
</html>

Latest revision as of 23:58, 20 June 2014